A walk around Katoomba brings back memories of another life, of primary-school friends, and sweaty hands and bus-sickness during a school excursion. Of rest-stops and an angry father, resentful of his progeny and their need to pee. Of turn-of-the-century style, federation charm and art deco glamour…The Savoy Cafe, The Paragon Cafe and Cafe Niagara.

And the bush pricks the memory…the heat and an unexpected thunderstorm deluge, car-windows left open and a car full of water, wet car-carpet stench, Eucalypt haze and cold little creeks, giant tree-ferns and scribbly gum.

Backward in time, forward in time; in some places, time, is irrelevant.